Money Plant With Holes In Leaves – Your 5-Step Diagnostic & Recovery

ByRimon Chowdhury Updated on

There’s nothing quite like the sight of a lush, vibrant money plant (Epipremnum aureum) cascading from a shelf or climbing a wall. But then you see it—a perfect leaf, marred by a mysterious hole. And another. And another. It’s a moment that makes any plant parent’s heart sink a little.

If you’ve found yourself staring at your beloved plant, wondering what’s turned its gorgeous foliage into Swiss cheese, you’re in the right place. Don’t worry, this is one of the most common problems gardeners face, and it’s almost always fixable.

I promise that by the end of this guide, you’ll feel like a confident plant detective. We’ll walk through exactly how to identify the culprits behind your money plant with holes in leaves, provide a step-by-step action plan for treatment, and share my favorite pro tips to prevent it from ever happening again.

Let’s get your money plant back to its beautiful, hole-free glory!

Why Are There Holes in My Money Plant Leaves? The Great Leaf Detective

Before we jump into solutions, we need to understand the “why.” Finding holes in your money plant’s leaves is a symptom, not the disease itself. Think of it as a clue your plant is giving you. These clues almost always point to one of three categories.

The most common cause, by far, is pests. Little critters find the tender, juicy leaves of a money plant simply irresistible. They munch away, often at night, leaving behind tell-tale damage. This is usually the first thing you should investigate.

Another frequent cause is simple physical damage. Money plants are often placed in high-traffic areas, and their leaves can easily get snagged, torn, or bumped. This is especially true if you have curious pets or children around.

Finally, while less common, certain environmental stressors or care issues can lead to weak, brittle leaves that are more prone to tearing and developing holes. This is more of an indirect cause, but it’s an important piece of the puzzle for long-term plant health.

Meet the Culprits: Identifying Common Pests Causing Holes

Alright, detective, it’s time to get out your magnifying glass (or just look closely!). Identifying the pest is the first step in creating an effective treatment plan. Different pests leave different kinds of clues.

Caterpillars and Inchworms: The Voracious Eaters

These are often the primary suspects. Caterpillars can be surprisingly sneaky and blend in perfectly with the green leaves.

  • The Damage: They create irregularly shaped holes, often starting from the edge of the leaf and working their way in. You might see large sections of the leaf completely gone.
  • How to Spot Them: Look closely on the undersides of leaves and along the stems. You might also find small, black droppings (known as “frass”) on the leaves below where they are feeding.

Slugs and Snails: The Night-Time Nibblers

If your money plant is outdoors or near an open window, slugs and snails could be the culprits. They do their dirty work under the cover of darkness.

  • The Damage: Similar to caterpillars, they create large, irregular holes. The dead giveaway is the slimy, silvery trail they leave behind on the leaves and pot.
  • How to Spot Them: You’ll likely need to go on a nighttime hunt with a flashlight to catch them in the act. During the day, they hide in cool, damp places like under the pot’s rim.

Grasshoppers and Beetles: The Occasional Visitors

These pests are more common for outdoor plants but can certainly find their way inside. They are less likely to cause a full-blown infestation but can do noticeable damage quickly.

  • The Damage: They tend to chew from the outside edge of the leaf inward, creating a ragged, chewed-up appearance.
  • How to Spot Them: These guys are much easier to spot! You’ll likely see the beetle or grasshopper on or near the plant during the day.
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Beyond Pests: Environmental and Care-Related Causes for Holes

Sometimes, the problem isn’t a pest at all. Before you start spraying, consider these other possibilities. This is a crucial part of any good money plant with holes in leaves guide, as misdiagnosing the problem can lead to unnecessary treatments.

Physical Damage: Accidents Happen!

This is the most overlooked cause! Your money plant’s leaves can get torn or punctured easily. Think about its location.

  • Is it near a walkway where people might brush past it?
  • Do you have a cat that likes to bat at the dangling vines?
  • Did it get bumped or snagged while you were cleaning or moving furniture?

Holes from physical damage usually look like clean rips or tears rather than chewed-away sections. They won’t spread to other leaves.

Low Humidity: The Silent Stressor

Money plants are tropical natives that thrive in humidity. In very dry indoor environments (especially in winter when the heat is on), their leaves can become brittle.

This doesn’t directly create holes, but it makes the leaves incredibly fragile. A slight bump or bend that a healthy, hydrated leaf could handle might cause a dry leaf to crack or split, creating a hole.

Your Action Plan: A Step-by-Step Money Plant with Holes in Leaves Care Guide

Okay, you’ve gathered your clues and have a good idea of what’s going on. Now it’s time for action! Follow these steps to treat the problem and start the healing process.

Step 1: Inspect and Isolate Your Plant

The very first thing you should do is give your plant a thorough inspection—top and bottom of every leaf, along the stems, and on the soil surface. If you suspect pests, immediately move the plant away from your other houseplants to prevent the problem from spreading. Quarantine is your best friend!

Step 2: Gently Clean the Leaves

Take a soft, damp cloth and gently wipe down every single leaf. This serves two purposes: it physically removes many pests and their eggs, and it cleans off any dust or grime, helping the plant breathe better and photosynthesize more efficiently.

Step 3: Choose Your Treatment (Eco-Friendly First!)

I always recommend starting with the gentlest, most eco-friendly money plant with holes in leaves solutions first. Harsh chemical pesticides should be an absolute last resort.

  • For Caterpillars, Slugs, and Beetles: The most effective method is hand-picking. Put on some gloves, pick them off, and drop them into a bucket of soapy water. It’s direct, effective, and chemical-free.
  • For a Broader Approach: Mix a simple solution of a few drops of mild dish soap in a spray bottle of water. Spray the entire plant, focusing on the undersides of the leaves. This helps deter many chewing insects.
  • For a Stronger Natural Option: Neem oil is a gardener’s secret weapon. It’s a natural insecticide and fungicide. Follow the package directions to mix it with water and a drop of soap (as an emulsifier) and spray the plant thoroughly every 5-7 days until the problem is gone. This is a fantastic, sustainable money plant with holes in leaves treatment.

Step 4: Prune Damaged Leaves Wisely

Should you cut off the damaged leaves? It depends. If a leaf has only one or two small holes but is otherwise healthy, leave it be! It can still produce energy for the plant. If a leaf is more than 50% damaged, it’s best to prune it off with clean, sharp scissors. This allows the plant to redirect its energy into growing new, healthy leaves.

Step 5: Adjust Your Care Routine

Once you’ve dealt with the immediate issue, review your plant’s environment. Is the air too dry? Consider misting your plant every few days or placing it on a pebble tray with water to boost ambient humidity. Is it in a high-traffic spot? Maybe it’s time to find it a safer home.

Prevention is Key: Money Plant with Holes in Leaves Best Practices

An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure, especially in the garden. Adopting these money plant with holes in leaves best practices will keep your plant strong, resilient, and far less tempting to pests.

Maintaining Ideal Light and Water Conditions

A healthy plant is a pest-resistant plant. Ensure your money plant gets plenty of bright, indirect light. Water it thoroughly when the top 1-2 inches of soil are dry, but don’t let it sit in a soggy pot. A stressed plant is an easy target.

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Boosting Humidity for Stronger Leaves

As we mentioned, humidity is key to strong, pliable leaves. Grouping plants together, using a humidifier, or regular misting can make a huge difference. Healthy leaves are much less likely to tear or crack.

Regular Inspections: Your Best Defense

Make it a habit to look over your plants once a week. Check under the leaves and near the soil. Catching a single caterpillar early is much easier than dealing with a full-blown infestation later. This is the simplest yet most effective tip in this entire guide.

The Unexpected Perk: Are There Benefits of Money Plant with Holes in Leaves?

This might sound strange, but stick with me. While we obviously don’t want holes in our plant’s leaves, discovering them provides an unexpected benefit. It forces you to become a more observant and engaged plant parent.

These holes are a signal—a call to action. They encourage you to learn more about your plant’s needs, its environment, and the little ecosystem it lives in. Solving this problem will make you a more confident and knowledgeable gardener, and that’s a benefit that will help all the plants in your care.

Frequently Asked Questions About a Money Plant with Holes in Leaves

Can a money plant recover from holes in its leaves?

Absolutely! The existing holes won’t magically heal or close up, but the plant can easily recover. Once you’ve addressed the root cause, it will focus its energy on producing new, beautiful, and undamaged leaves. Your plant will be just fine!

Should I cut off money plant leaves with holes?

It’s a judgment call. If the leaf is heavily damaged (more than 50% gone) or looks very unsightly, go ahead and snip it off at the base of its stem. If it just has a few small holes, it’s better to leave it on the plant, as it can still perform photosynthesis and help the plant grow.

Are the holes in my money plant caused by a disease?

It’s highly unlikely. Fungal and bacterial diseases in money plants typically present as spots, discoloration (yellow or brown), or mushy stems. Clean, chewed-looking holes are almost always the work of a pest or the result of physical damage.

How can I make my money plant leaves stronger and less prone to damage?

The best way is to provide optimal care. This means consistent watering (not too much, not too little), bright indirect sunlight, and—most importantly for leaf strength—adequate humidity. A happy, well-hydrated plant will have much more resilient foliage.

Go Forth and Grow!

Discovering a money plant with holes in leaves can be disheartening, but it’s a challenge every gardener faces at some point. Now you are fully equipped with the knowledge to diagnose the issue, the tools to treat it effectively, and the wisdom to prevent it in the future.

Remember to be patient with your plant and with yourself. Gardening is a journey of learning and growing together. Your money plant is resilient, and with your attentive care, it will be pushing out beautiful new growth in no time.

Happy gardening!

Rimon Chowdhury
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